How to find the best coliving in Vancouver?

Canada is a great destination for digital nomads, and of all its cities, Vancouver is perhaps one of the favourites for those travelling with their laptop around the world. Its natural surroundings, vibrant neighbourhoods, and a culture open to remote work and conscious living make it a fantastic destination. However, it is also one of the most expensive cities in Canada, where finding a comfortable place to live and work can become a challenge. That’s why coliving spaces in Vancouver present themselves as an ideal alternative: they offer accommodation, workspaces, and community living, all integrated to make your stay easier for weeks or months.

Unlike other major cities, Vancouver does not yet have a massive coliving scene like in Europe or North America. Instead, various projects emerge that combine shared housing, workspaces, and local community, ranging from boutique houses to organised networks.

In this guide, we will tell you about the most recommended places, what makes them unique, and why they might be your best option while living your experience in the city between mountains and the sea.

What are the advantages of living in a coliving space in Vancouver?

In addition to solving the housing problem in a city with high rents and high demand, coliving spaces in Vancouver offer unique benefits worth considering. We’re not just talking about sharing a house: these are spaces designed for those who work, create, or study while exploring a new city.

• Saving in one of the most expensive cities in Canada: In Vancouver, the average price of a furnished apartment can easily exceed $2,500 CA ($1,800 US, €1,670) per month. Coliving spaces, on the other hand, offer more affordable options with all services included: WiFi, electricity, cleaning, and maintenance, as well as furniture and shared common spaces.
• Fast internet and work-from-home areas: Most coliving spaces prioritise connectivity, offer high-speed WiFi, ergonomic desks, chairs, and environments designed for remote work or study, making them ideal for digital nomads and international students.
• Strategic location near downtown and universities: Many of these spaces are located in well-connected areas, such as Mount Pleasant, Kitsilano, or Downtown Vancouver. This allows you to easily access tech hubs, university campuses, or green spaces like Stanley Park or False Creek.
• Community living and shared activities: Unlike a traditional rental or Airbnb, coliving is designed for you to connect with others. Some organise group dinners, afterworks, hiking trips, or creative workshops. This is perfect if you arrive in the city alone and want to network without forcing situations.
• Flexibility in stay duration: While rental contracts in Vancouver often require a minimum stay of six to 12 months, many coliving spaces allow reservations starting from one month, with the option to extend based on your plans. This gives you the freedom to change locations, try new experiences, or move around without legal complications.

What are the best coliving spaces in Vancouver?

If you’re thinking of living in Vancouver for a while and are looking for a place to work, relax, and connect with others, coliving might be the ideal solution. But of course, choosing one that fits your budget and needs can be tricky. Don’t worry, we’re here to help. For this selection, we considered factors such as the quality of spaces, internet connection, community atmosphere, location within the city, and flexibility for long or medium stays.

In total, we selected three coliving spaces in Vancouver that stand out for their comprehensive offering of accommodation, work, and community. Each of these spaces has its own style, but all share a common focus: helping you live better while you work or study in one of Canada’s most vibrant and diverse cities.

1. VanMates – Flexible coliving in Vancouver for students and young professionals

VanMates is a platform offering coliving and student accommodation in Vancouver, focusing on international students and young professionals. Their options are spread across various neighbourhoods in Vancouver, including central areas with good connections as well as residential areas (such as East Vancouver or Commercial Drive) that combine tranquillity with easy access to the city centre.

VanMates doesn’t operate a single villa or house, but a network of shared properties. These offer private rooms within furnished apartments that share common spaces such as kitchens, living rooms, and bathrooms. This allows for a community experience without sacrificing privacy. The capacity varies depending on the property, as they manage multiple houses across the city.

Spaces and services at VanMates Coliving in Vancouver

All properties include fully equipped common areas: shared kitchens, social lounges, and, in some cases, study areas. While there are no formal coworking spaces, they do have common rooms with workspaces.

Services such as WiFi, electricity, cleaning, and even laundry are usually included in the fee, providing a hassle-free living experience that’s ready for you to move in.

Community and Events

VanMates promotes integration activities and community culture, including:

1. Social gatherings: movie nights, game nights, and shared dinners that help you connect with other residents.
2. Professional workshops: covering topics like resume building, interview skills, and networking.
3. Fitness classes: group yoga sessions, boot camps, and other wellness-focused activities.
4. Cultural events: food festivals, art exhibitions, and city tours.

All these activities strengthen the sense of community, especially among people who arrive in the city alone, while also providing multiple opportunities to make professional connections.

Prices, plans, and memberships

• Monthly rates: the price of accommodations managed by VanMates in Vancouver ranges from $900 and $1,500 CA per month ($650-1,080 US, €600-1,000), with all-inclusive services (WiFi, cleaning, utilities).
• No specific membership is required to access VanMates; simply reserve the room you want and pay the corresponding monthly rate.

Why VanMates might be an excellent coliving option in Vancouver?

VanMates combines flexibility, comfort, and community with competitive prices within Vancouver’s high cost of living. Although it doesn’t offer formal coworking spaces, its common areas are designed for you to work or study comfortably. It’s a solid option if you’re looking for independence without sacrificing a shared experience and integrated services.

2. Gather Coliving – Shared houses with community for young professionals and students

Gather Coliving is a coliving operator in Vancouver that started around 2020–2021 and offers shared housing with a community focus and more accessible prices. They provide spaces designed for young professionals and mature students who want to live together without losing comfort or personal identity. They currently operate several houses across the city, both in central areas and in quiet residential neighbourhoods.

Each property is a prefabricated house that can host dozens of people, roughly around 50, with the option to choose private or shared rooms. The homes are designed to be functional and to encourage social living.

Spaces and services at Gather Coliving in Vancouver

The houses include shared kitchens, living rooms, and areas for socialising. In addition, many offer 1 Gb/s fibre-optic internet, electricity, water, and heating included in the fee, which makes life much easier. It’s a very practical package for living without worries.

Although Gather does not offer formal coworking spaces, many of their houses feature multifunctional common areas ideal for working: quiet zones, lounges with shared tables, and stable internet connections. These environments are designed so you can work or study at home without needing to go elsewhere.

The layout focuses on community, with well-organised interiors. Some locations (especially in residential areas) also offer shared outdoor spaces such as patios or terraces, although this varies depending on the house.

Community and Events

Gather promotes community through activities. Each house has its own social rhythm: there may be weekly dinners, birthday celebrations, or spontaneous outings, which strengthen social bonds in a natural and friendly way.

Prices, plans, and memberships

Gather includes a monthly utilities fee for each house, which ranges from $50-75 CA ($37-56 US, €34-52), depending on the size of the property and number of residents. This fee covers costs such as internet, electricity, heating, and water. They also offer different contract types:

• The base rent (room rental) is the main fee.
• If you choose shorter stays (three to five months), they apply a 10% surcharge, while stays of six to 11 months incur a 5% surcharge.

Why consider Gather Coliving as an option?

Gather offers a balanced and well-organised coliving style. It provides comfortable accommodation, included services, and authentic community without rigid contracts. The utilities fee is reasonable, and the stays are flexible, which makes it ideal for those seeking connection and simplicity in daily life. Besides, their network of houses lets you adapt to different areas of Vancouver depending on your needs or mood.

3. ILSC Student Co-Living–Community-focused student accommodation in Vancouver

Although it’s not strictly a coliving space, ILSC Student Co-Living is another option for accommodation and community in Vancouver, especially if you’re a student.

The network is made up of shared houses located in different Vancouver neighbourhoods, around 30–40 minutes by public transport from the ILSC Downtown campus. These are renovated homes designed to offer a balanced experience between independence and shared living, ideal for adult students coming to study in Canada. There’s also the option of women-only houses if requested in advance.

Spaces and services at ILSC Student Co-Living

ILSC Student Co-Living houses offer private rooms, some with ensuite bathrooms, and shared rooms with shared bathrooms. They come furnished with a bed (double or twin depending on the case), desk, chair, wardrobe, and in some cases a coffee table. They also include bedding, access to laundry facilities, and weekly cleaning of common areas.

The homes feature shared kitchens, living rooms, and common patios or back gardens. They also offer free WiFi and spaces suitable for studying or working at home, although not specifically designed as coworking areas. They also provide weekly cleaning of shared areas, laundry facilities, and supply bedding and kitchen utensils.

Community and Events

The houses include common areas that foster community through informal gatherings, but there is no structured programme of activities or classes. The focus is on offering a social environment through shared architecture and daily interactions.

Prices, plans, and memberships

Rates are weekly and in Canadian dollars:

• Private room in a house with shared bathroom: $400 CA/week ($288 US, €264) (with a reservation of more than 25 weeks: $385 CA/week ($277 US, €257)
• Shared room in a house with shared bathroom: $240 CA/week ($177 US, €163)(discount to $230 CA/week ($170 US, €158). for more than 25 weeks)
• Private “apartment” room with private bathroom: from $490 CA/week ($360 US, €335)., with a discount to $479 CA ($353 US, €329) for stays longer than 25 weeks. High season rates (May 31 to August 31) include an additional charge of $35 CA/week ($26 US, €24) and $90 CA ($67 US, €62).per extra night, subject to approval.
• A non-refundable admin fee of CAD 250 ($180 USD) is required upon booking, along with a cleaning fee of $85 CA ($63 US, €59). for check-out.

Why choose ILSC Student Co-Living?

If you’re a student and looking for a more dynamic alternative to a traditional apartment or Airbnb, ILSC Student Co-Living offers comfort, community, and flexibility close to your classes. Its weekly rates, fully furnished rooms, and included services make adjusting to Vancouver easier. Moreover, the combination of independence with shared spaces makes it a balanced and effective option for living while studying.

Which is the best coliving space in Vancouver?

As we’ve seen, Vancouver doesn’t have an overwhelming coliving offer (especially not in the strict sense of the word), but the ones that exist are well thought out for very different audiences. If you’re looking for flexibility, varied locations, and a network of well-connected houses, VanMates is an excellent gateway to the city. On the other hand, if your priority is to live surrounded by other professionals with a certain community structure, Gather Coliving combines community with affordable rates.

Meanwhile, ILSC Student Co-Living is perfect if you’re coming to study in Vancouver and want to avoid the stress of apartment hunting. They offer weekly rates, women-only houses, and prices tailored to students.

In summary: there are options for those coming to the city to study, work, or simply live for a while with real connection and included services. Whatever your profile, a good coliving space can be the difference between feeling like you’re just passing through or starting to build your home in Vancouver from day one.

Connectivity in Vancouver: Internet from day one with Holafly

Living in Vancouver for a while means moving around, working from home, or exploring the city without worrying about WiFi. And if there’s one thing you can’t afford to fail at, it’s connectivity. One of the best solutions for this is to use an eSIM with data, which allows you to stay connected as soon as you land, without relying on physical SIMs or local contracts.

Holafly offers an eSIM with unlimited data for Vancouver, ideal if you’re staying for several weeks or even months. It’s compatible with most current mobile phones and activates in minutes, with no paperwork or complicated setup required.

Now, if you’re planning an extended stay in Vancouver, Holafly Plans might be all you need to get internet in the city. This last option allows you to have unlimited data and move around without worries, both in Canada and across 170 other countries. With just one subscription, you can cross as many borders as you want and stay connected all the time. It’s perfect for digital nomads, remote workers, international students, and travellers who are always on the move.

Important: If you are a frequent traveler and want to stay connected without worrying about expensive roaming or looking for a new SIM at every destination, Holafly’s subscription plans are for you. With a single eSIM, enjoy internet in more than 170 countries for a fixed price and no surprises on your bill. Travel without limits and connect easily and securely! 🚀🌍

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